Chroma Polaris Owner’s Manual

Webmaster note: This is a large, self-hosted file that may take some time to download from my server to your computer, so the transfer often takes a few moments. However, if the transfer never takes place — that is, you never see the PDF of the manual in the window above — please try a different browser.

Nerds in the audience might find it interesting to learn that this represents my first foray into desktop publishing, using a Mac Plus and Apple LaserWriter. Thanks to Mark Heliger of CommType for his invaluable help not only with the layout and typography but also with wrangling all the elements needed to turn a Microsoft Word document into this publication. Shortly after this project, Mark turned to the much bigger (and better-paying) project of turning Matt Groening’s hand printing into a computer font for use both in printed materials and on screen. If you've ever seen an episode of The Simpsons, you’ve seen Mark’s work in the title sequences. If I remember correctly, Mark used the then-new Fontographer, and I got to look over his shoulder while he painstakingly recreated the letter forms and adjusted the kerning.